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Ok Ladies, I'm due to go in for my elective section on the 28th this month as bubs is breech, foot down and huge (awkward just like his dad!)
Anyhow, having dilligently packed my bags for a nice normal birth, obviously I'm going to have to change them up a bit more now... so what do you recommend? How many of things should I take? I know about the big knickers (and I've also got some of the fetching NCT stringy pants) but what else do I need? How many nappies/babygrows/changes of clothes should I take?
I'm guessing as my section is on a Weds PM they will try and get me Discharged on the Friday night so I'm not in at the weekend, is that reasonable on a first baby/section or am I just assuming too much?
Anyhow, having dilligently packed my bags for a nice normal birth, obviously I'm going to have to change them up a bit more now... so what do you recommend? How many of things should I take? I know about the big knickers (and I've also got some of the fetching NCT stringy pants) but what else do I need? How many nappies/babygrows/changes of clothes should I take?
I'm guessing as my section is on a Weds PM they will try and get me Discharged on the Friday night so I'm not in at the weekend, is that reasonable on a first baby/section or am I just assuming too much?
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On the big knickers - make sure they go up to your waist. I bought loads of bigger sized knickers, 18 & 20's (I'm normally a 14) but they all fitted around the scar so had to send DH off for some granny pants!
As you may be in for a few days make sure you pack a couple of changes of clothes for yourself. Something generous fitting and stretchy, I found maternity ones just fell off me but normal ones didn't have a chance of fitting. I'd recommend leggings/jogging bottoms.
I didn't take a great deal into hospital but I had several bags packed in the boot of the car so that DH could bring in exactly what I needed.
Wishing you lots of luck xx
Good point about the knickers - I'll make sure they are monsters - I think the ones I have are but I'll check to be sure!
My leggings are all quite tight, so I'm not convinced they will be great over the scar, but I'll pack some floaty frocks - that should help.
Good point too about bags for DH to bring in - otherwise I'd end up in my sequinned xmas tops or something!
I'm lucky re: clothes for me and baby. The clinic where I'm having my section is on the same road as me, just 3 mins from our house! So I can send hubby back and forth as many times as needed if things take longer than expected. Plus, no car park fees! We'll be walking to and (hopefully!) from, the birth. I think that's why I'm being so lax about doing my bags - I'm 35 weeks on Monday and still don't have them done! x
with what to bring, big knickers, pads cos you will bleed loads, nipple pads breast feeding or not, comfy clothes, wash bag, dark towel, mags to read cos you might be waiting till all the 1st pro c sections first, but they like to do it before 12, nightgowns, feeding bras, 6/8 vests, 2 tops per down, 2 bottoms per day, sock, going home outfit and loads of nappies.
Nighties not PJs for the first day as you will have a catheter and possibly a wound drain in.
Lots of maternity towels, not just for the bleeding, but they are great to put against the wound once they remove the dressing, to keep it dry and comfy.
Manuka honey, both to ingest and pop on the wound to aid healing once the dressing is off.
Treat yourself to a Theraline Caesarean belt - mine proved a godsend and I'm sure it's aided my super quick recovery. Having done a C section with one and one without, I think they are sooooo worth the money!
They do still discharge over the weekend, so you wouldn't be kept in all weekend just because it was a weekend. I had my C section on Tuesday morning and we were discharged by lunchtime on Thursday, my hospital has a 48 hour discharge policy if mum and baby are well, might be worth asking your midwife what their policy is. I had the section in the morning (he was born at 9.48 and I was in theatre for about another hour) and I spent the first day/overmight in High Care being observed and was then moved to a regular ward at 8am the next morning, after having the world's best shower!
I've also stocked up on Arnica tablets - figure they won't do me any harm!
Glad you got out so quickly - here's hoping mine won't be too protracted either (9 days left!)
It might not be too unbearable anyhow, I found out today that one of the other girls from my NCT has to go for an ECV tomorrow morning and if she doesn't get hers turned then there's every likelyhood she'll be in when I am - we can keep each other company!
I also took Arnica and it really helped - you should start taking them couple of days before the op
Thanks ladies! You're a godsend!
Another thought - if you like them, take a small pack of prunes or other dried fruit in with you. The surgery can interrupt your digestive system and they are a nice healthy way of getting some gentle fibre and, erm, bowel encouragement down you! Makes your first post-section poo a nice soft easy one, and faster too - midwives seem to be obsessed with when you're able to wee and poo after delivery!
I don't particularly like prunes, but I'll eat anything to save being bunged up, it's the worst feeling in the world! xx
I was in on thurs hd section at lunch and out 48 hrs later there was no way I would stay in longer it was too busy so you should be ok depending on wound healing. My friend is a homeopath and gave me a cocktail of herbal remedies and I made a really fast recovery. I don't know whether that was why (i suspect so) but if u can maybe worthwhile visiting one.
xxx